Holiday traffic: Significant congestion expected across France on Saturday

Paris – 24 July 2026: For the final weekend of July, the state traffic service Bison Fute expects exceptionally heavy traffic on France’s roads. Travelers heading off on holiday in particular should expect significant delays nationwide on Saturday, July 25, 2026. The authority has placed the day at its second-highest warning level for departures and advises postponing journeys until Sunday where possible.

As early as Friday, July 24, the situation will be tense for holiday travelers across the country. Burgundy, eastern France and the southwest are subject to the highest traffic alert level for departures. Routes from Burgundy and the east towards the northeastern border are expected to be particularly critical. Routes from Bordeaux to Spain, as well as roads leading to the Mediterranean coast, are also likely to be severely overloaded.

In the Paris region, Bison Fute expects heavier traffic at toll stations from late morning onwards. The A6 and A10 motorways will be particularly affected. Commuter traffic is expected to add to holiday travel in the afternoon, further increasing congestion. For crossing or leaving the region on Friday, the service recommends departing before 10 a.m. or after 11 p.m.

For Saturday, Bison Fute forecasts long traffic jams on numerous major routes. Connections from the Paris region towards Normandy, Brittany, Pays de la Loire and the Mediterranean are expected to be especially congested. Very heavy traffic is also expected in Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes. In the Paris region, initial disruptions may begin early in the morning on the A10 and, to a lesser extent, on the A6.

Among the particularly sensitive routes on Saturday are the A13 between Rouen and Caen, the A11 between Paris, Le Mans, Angers and Nantes, and the N165 national road towards Quimper. In the southwest, the A10 between Tours and Bordeaux, the A63 towards Spain and the A62 towards Toulouse will be heavily used. Travelers heading for the Mediterranean should allow extra time, especially on the A7, A8, A9, A54 and A61.

Bison Fute recommends traveling before 6 a.m. or after 3 p.m. on Saturday when leaving or passing through the Paris region. On the A7 between Lyon and Orange, disruptions are expected from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; south of Orange to Marseille, they may continue until 8 p.m. On the A9 between Narbonne and the Spanish border, traffic conditions could be particularly difficult from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

According to the forecast, conditions will ease considerably nationwide on Sunday, July 26. Departure traffic is then expected to be mostly normal, with only Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes remaining more heavily affected. Nevertheless, Bison Fute still expects heavy traffic there on several Alpine and Rhone routes. Motorists should check current traffic conditions before setting off, plan sufficient breaks and adapt their route flexibly.